Aspendos

Aspendos, an ancient Greco-Roman city in Antalya province of Turkey. It is located 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) north of Serik.

History

Aspendus was an ancient city in Pamphylia, Asia Minor, located about 25 miles (40 km) east of the modern city of Antalya, Turkey. It was situated on the Eurymedon River (now the Kopru River) about 10 miles (16 km) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The Greek spelling of the name is Aspendos. According to tradition, the city was founded around 1000 B.C. by Greeks who may have come from Argos. The wide range of its coinage throughout the ancient world indicates that, in the 5th century B.C., Aspendus had become the most important city in Pamphylia. At that time the Eurymedon River was navigable as far as Aspendus, and the city derived great wealth from a trade in salt, oil, and wool.

In 333 B.C. Aspendus paid Alexander the Great a levy to avoid being garrisoned, but it ignored its agreements with him and later was occupied. In 190 B.C. the city surrendered to the Romans, who later pillaged it of its artistic treasures. Toward the end of the Roman period the city began a decline that continued throughout Byzantine times.

Roman structures

Aspendos is known for having the best-preserved theater of antiquity. With diameter of 96 meters (315 ft), the theater provided seating for 7,000.

The theater was built in 155 by the Greek architect Zenon, a native of the city, during the rule of Marcus Aurelius. It was periodically repaired by the Seljuks who used it as a caravanserai.

In order to keep with Hellenistic traditions, a small part of the theater was built so that it leaned against the hill where the Citadel (Acropolis) stood, while the remainder was built on vaulted arches. The high stage served to seemingly isolate the audience from the rest of the world. The scaenae frons or backdrop, has remained intact. The 8.1 meter (27 ft) sloping reflective wooden ceiling over the stage has been lost over time. Post holes for 58 masts are found in the upper level of the theater. These masts supported a velarium or awning that could be pulled over the audience to provide shade.

Still used today for concerts, festivals and events, the theater's galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect's success.

Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora, nymphaeum and 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) of Roman aqueduct.

Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival

The theatre hosts the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival organized by Turkish State Opera and Ballet since 1994, with international participation of opera and ballet companies and an audience of about 10,000.

Sillion

It is founded at north east of Perge, 12 km. inside the sea, in the middle of the plain, on a wide and shallow shaped steep and high hill. Antic city is reached after a 5 km. of road when turned from Eski Yörük Village, at 29th km. of Antalya - Alanya Highway.

The city, which is founded during IVth century B. C., and was a Bishop center during Byzantium period had lived the Seljukian periods. Slightly steep west side of the hill is surrounded with ramparts, remaining from Hellenistic era. These ramparts are completed with towers, gates and roads to city. Gate of the city is on the ramparts, at the west part of the hill. When you go upside of the hill at north east side house ruins, streets, at west, Selçuklu Mosque, Byzantium Church and cistern can be seen. At the south west foot of the hill, there is a theater with 8.000 persons capacity and an odeon adjacent to it.

Belek

Belek is a township with own municipality in Serik district in Turkey's Antalya Province.

Belek is one of the most prominent centers of Turkey's tourism industry and is as such home to more than thirty four-star or five-star hotels and many other accommodation, services and entertainment facilities.

Belek is a developing Golf Center of Turkey. In planning the golf fields, the architects took into special account the preferences and expectations of European golf players. In Belek, the perfect sight of the golf fields present the wonderful panorama and landscape of the neighborhood while providing the golf players with excellent golf pleasure and competition.

The Kurşunlu Waterfall is a worth to visit place in Belek. There are over 100 bird species living by this natural wonder. The hidden cave at the back of the waterfall is a popular place for visiting. Near Belek there is the Hellenistic city of Perge, which is rated second after Ephesus and the great amphitheater of Aspendos that still today can hold over 15.000 spectators.